Eighth Generation

93. Johan Josef (Giuseppe) DEJAKO¹²⁸ was born on 24 Jun 1878 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. He and his brother Franz Dejaco are shown in the photograph of the Riflemen of Wolkenstein (ca. 1920) - First row, from left: Josef Senoner da Cësanueva, Pico Demetz , Tondo Runggaldier (Hauptmann), Anton Kostner dl Puter, Mateo Mussner da Plazola, Engl Mussner da Mulin. Second row, from left: Gustin Nocker, Ferdinand Pitscheider, ?, Josef Dejaco, Celestin Senoner, Tita Delago. Third row, from left: Tubia Demetz dl Pinzigher, Vinzenz Delago de Dróc, ?, Franz Dejaco, Nazio Lardschneider de Ciampac Their rallying cry was "For God and Fatherland".

A brief history of the Tyrolean Defense Force: Under an old Austrian rule issued by Emperor Maximilian in 1511, the local national defense was organized in Tirol as the Tyrolean Defense Force. The recruitment of young and courageous men took place to defend national borders. The firing exercises took place on shooting ranges found in almost every place. In the municipality of Wolkenstein, for example, they used in a very beautiful, long valley. On the shooting ranges target practice was mostly held on Sunday. Often there were shooting competitions, where judges and officials were present. In the decades before 1900 the front loading rifles were used, but soon thereafter more modern repeating rifles and guns were used.

Since historical times the competitive military exercises were repeatedly held in the neighboring Gadertal, particularly in Corvara. This was normal before the start of the Great War, for example, in 1848, then into the 1860 years, around 1910, and at other times. Until 1900 there were only a few organized companies in Tirol at the local level. At Wolkenstein a company of the Defense Force protected the countryside until 1900. Then in the year 1902, about 15 years before end of the Habsburg monarchy, a local company was organized in Wolkenstein, and its historical flag is inscribed with the date 15.8.1902.

He sent a letter to his uncle in America on 17 May 1922. In the letter he congratulated his uncle and American family. "It was always a great joy for us to see that two of your sons [Fr. Francis DeJaco & Fr. Louis DeJaco] are serving at the altar of God. We ask them to remember us at times in their Holy Masses". He was also thankful for the wedding photo and wished the "bride and bridegroom [Edward DeJaco and Helen Miller] gave us also much pleasure. We wish them much happiness in their married life." Then Josef the mentions that his "wife is from Holsterlilz in Mahren. She was 14 years [married] in Wien and from there she married to St. Christina. Her first husband died in the war and now she is my wife. I am very happy with her, I am more than satisfied." He concludes saying that "It would be a great joy for us if we could welcome somebody from you at any time here".

He sent another letter to his uncle in America on 25 May 1923. Josef thanked his uncle for the "pictures and the news about your people. We are so happy to know that you are blessed with two priests [Fr. Francis DeJaco & Fr. Louis DeJaco]. I recommend that you ask the priest to say a Mass for those family members that are alive and pray for them one Hail Mary for their good friends, because we want peace for all the relatives that are alive. We pray to find more pictures and to find all our relatives".

He died on 4 Jan 1955 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.

Johan Josef (Giuseppe) DEJAKO and Filomine ALTON were married about 1900.

Filomine ALTON¹²⁹ (daughter of Joh Bapt ALTON and Katharina UBERBACHER) was born in 1881 in Colfusco in Val Badia, Tyrol (Austria). She died on 2 Oct 1918 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.

Johan Josef (Giuseppe) DEJAKO and Filomine ALTON had the following children:

+145	i.	Maria Elizabeth (Else) DEJAKO.
146	ii.	Maria Franziska DEJAKO130 was born on 29 Jul 1903 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. She died on 7 Aug 1903.
147	iii.	Johann Josef DEJAKO131 was born on 29 May 1904 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. He died on 2 Jul 1904 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.
148	iv.	Jordan Johann DEJAKO132 was born on 9 Jul 1905 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. He died on 11 Jul 1905 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.
149	v.	Johann DEJAKO133 was born on 15 May 1907 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.
150	vi.	Emil Erhard DEJAKO was born on 11 Jan 1909 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. He died on 11 Jan 1909 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.
+151	vii.	Maria Magdelina DEJAKO.
152	viii.	Hermann DEJAKO134 was born on 30 Jun 1913 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. He died on 31 Oct 1940 in Innsbruck, Austria.
153	ix.	Maximilian DEJAKO135 was born on 7 Sep 1914 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. He died on 8 Sep 1914 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.
154	x.	Anonymous DEJAKO was born on 21 Jul 1915 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley. He died on 21 Jul 1915 in Wolkenstein/Selva in the Gröden Valley.
+155	xi.	Rudolf Ludwig DEJAKO.